How To Do Your Research On A Company Before Your Interview

The world of employment has always been and will always be very competitive. No matter what sort of job you are going for and no matter which sector it is in, the chances are you will be facing a huge amount of competition from other people who are also keen to get the same job. This makes it more important than ever to make sure you stand out from the crowd when it comes to both your application form and your interview.

One of the ways in which you can impress those who are interviewing for the position is by demonstrating that you know about the company that you are hoping to work for.

Doing your research

With this in mind, it is vital that you carry out some research into the company that you are applying to. No interviewer will be impressed with someone who walks in and demonstrates absolutely no knowledge about the company, as this indicates a lack of real interest.

By doing your research, you can show that you are prepared, that you know important facts about the company, and you can even use this knowledge to explain why you want to work for that particular company.

1. The company website is the perfect place to start

A very obvious but highly effective way to find out all about the company is through its own website. Most companies these days have a website, and this is the perfect place to go if you want to find out about pretty much any area of the company, from its history and mission to its policies and more.

2. The job description

You will find that most big companies will provide a lot of important information in the application pack along with the job description. This could be information about what the company does, what its aims and goals are, its mission statements, and plenty of additional vital information. Make sure you read this carefully and also try to find ways to match your skills and experience to the aims and strategies of the company.

3. Google the company name

It’s obvious you will Google them but focus on finding the right information. You may find that there is information about a company online but not on the company website. This could be news reports, press releases, surveys, or other types of information that are not part of the website. It is worth doing a Google search just to see if anything comes up, as you may find extra bits of information that could prove valuable.

3. Pay a visit to the company

With some companies, you may be able to pay a visit before you actually attend for an interview. This will give you a feel for the company plus it will also give you the chance to look around to see if there is anything you can pick up on that could prove useful in your interview.

In short, the more you can find out about a company before you attend an interview, the better it will be for you. You can then select the information that you feel will most benefit you in your interview and you will feel far more prepared in the event that the interviewers ask you anything about the company.

4. Social profiles

Most companies now maintain social profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Find out what they are doing, what they share constantly, what is important to them, who works for them etc.

Follow people within company if you want on Twitter. You can easily find out more about their working culture on Facebook or Twitter. Digging around on the company’s social pages gives you all the right information you need to make a first great impression.

For more useful hints and advice on looking for jobs, interview tips, and jobs in the financial services and professional services, visit Randstad Financial & Professional.